Barn owl, hobby, Cuckoo & male marsh harrier all flew past VP2 in a 5 minute “golden patch” yesterday evening. Also a juv GS woodpecker near there and water rail & tawny owl heard to the north. Still 7 slightly larger Mute cygnets & now 3 small mallard ducklings nearby. RSPB car park appeared to be open during daylight.

As far as I am aware all Hides on the RSPB , Natural England and S.W.Trust. reserves are currently shut as are all access paths the only path currently open is the Permitted path through Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath (i.e. The old Railway path beside the South drain.

That includes Ham Wall, Shapwick Heath, Catcott and Westhay. Information is published on Twitter and available on the various organisations Face book and dedicated Websites.

Yesterday, 7 small Mute cygnets from VP2 & 9 well grown greylag goslings at Catcott. Bearded reedlings, reed warblers & Buntings also seen at VP2, along with 11 blackwits, although they were doing a good job of hiding most of the time. A considerate bittern did flyby in both directions to ensure we saw it & the hobbies were less obliging, with distant views of several. Cuckoo in evidence at most sites over last few days, but only showed themselves at Westhay (as was the closest Hobby)

Sweets had a sign up saying drive through, but presumably only open at weekend.

To clarify Dans comments, Ham Wall RSPB remains closed at present, but the old railway line track is open through both Ham Wall and Shapwick reserves. Parking limited to the NE carpark at Ashcott Corner and no facilities open in the area.

yes, a friend and I visited Ham Wall and Shapwick yesterday. The small car park at Ashcott is open and RSPB are opening the large car park soon. A few good birds: spotted flycatcher; 1 hobby; 1 drake garganey; great crested grebe with 3 youngsters on its back; many many warblers of 8 varieties; breeding lapwing; + others.

Pair of cuckoos and a hobby at Westhay yesterday and a sedge warbler, cattle egeets and a great egret at Catcott. A bittern fkypast at Ham Wall and garden warbler singibg at Shapwick this afternoon made up for yet another garganey dip.